The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-23
The Pauper Pension Bill.
Correspondence of THE CLARIoN.l
w AsuT>cToN Feb IS Is


WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1887.
The sensation of the past week on Capt.
toll Hill was the Presidents veto OF one of
the most reckless. specimens of legislation
that was ever presented to any Congress
'eThe Universal Pension bill" Not that
his action was a surprise to those who have
watched his course in regard to pension
matters. for he has shown, on several occa-
sions already, that he has the courage to
do his duty. But, as Representative
Springer said, no man ever filled the Office
of President before Mr. Cleveland, who
would have had the boldness to veto such
a bill which had passed by Houses of Con-
gress by more than two-thirds majority
and which had so powerful sentiment at
the back of 1t.
Echoes of congratulation have been COM
ing back to the President from all parts of
the country, and he has heard plenty of
censure from the mere partisans who have
learned to regard the war as their personal
legacy. But he will have the praise, APP
proval and gratitude of the great mass of
the PEOPLE of all sections, the tax-paying
civilian and the honest veteran, of all true
patriots both of the North and South.
The reading of the Presidents message,
explaining his reasons for the veto COM
Representatives. Many Congressman are
now unable to say what their future action
will be until they have heard from their
constituents. 1t is thought, however, that
the bill could not be passed over the veto,
1 for many members who voted for it have
been surprised since al the condemnation
it received from people among all par
ties.
Should this remarkable pension bill be-
come a law, it would give a pension to
every ex-Union soldier who can not earn
the sort of living he would like-in other
words, to every man who was in the Fed
eral army and is yet alive. 1t would give
a pension to every drunkard and shiftless
loafer who was in the army for ninety days,
even if his disability is due solely to his
own vices. 1t would give a premium to
medicancy and Incidence, for nothing con-
vinces man that he is unable to work
like showing him that he can live without
it.
And then think of the millions after
millions of the peoples msney that such a
bill would waste 1t would double the
pension burden of the United States, maxi
| ing ii $4,000, COO year. 1t would make
| the roll call of pensioners larger than the
| Federal army ever was and four times as
| large as the whole standing army of Eng
| land
The Republican members of Congress
! have made but little comment upon the
subject. The veto message seems to have
| taken their breath. Representative Stall
| necker, Of New York, thinks the message
is the ablest State paper of Mr. CIeveland's
term. Said he, at takes up the bill, Sec
ten by section, and just tears it to tatters.
In stating his reasons for the veto, he has
built fort around him which it will be
pretty difficult to Storm"
| A Western Congressman who was speak
| ing of the Presidents courage, said, "my
admiration for him was never great until
now. He has turned his face against a
sentiment before which all parties have
| bowed, and If he is sustained by Congress,
this incident may be the turning point of
| a popular reaction against the abuse of the
whole pension business"
| Another enthusiast over the Presidents
pluck said, at is the greatest and the best
| thing that Cleveland ever did. 1t required
| just such system of legislation which
| threatened to swamp this Government"
| Representative Oates, of Alabama, re-
marked that this veto would make the
South solid again.
| Indeed there was no limit to this pen
sion business and there appeared to be no.
body with courage enough to say where it
should stop OF course the President has
not fixed final limit to this kind of per-
nicious legislation, but he has shown him
self equal to the situation. He has drawn
the attention of the country to the abuse
in such way that the people who pay the
taxes will begin to think it over.
II he had signed this pauper pension
bill, he would doubtless have been called
4 al.
tary bill-a bill pensioning all men who
wanted to enlist in the Federal army, but
who were physically unable or were needed
| at home by dependent families. Why not
If all men who enlisted and who want
more for support than their present in
comes are entitled to pensions, why should
not all men be equally deserving of pen.
sions who wanted TO enlist and could not
/ Cas-.